Fans of The Apprentice can rest easy as Lord Alan Sugar has reportedly signed on to film two new series back-to-back.
According to The Sun, the businessman, 74, and the rest of the team just wrapped filming the 16th series ahead of confirmation of his new deal.
A source said: ‘BBC bosses like what they’ve seen on the upcoming series and want two more.
Success: Fans of The Apprentice can rest easy as Lord Alan Sugar has reportedly signed on to film two new series back-to-back
‘The Apprentice was a big miss in the schedules last year, which they think will be reflected in the ratings.
‘So they want to strike while the iron’s hot and tie Lord Sugar down for two more series in quick succession, which they hope will have more of an international feel now lockdown restrictions are gradually lifting.’
Last year’s show was replaced by a compilation of highlights from series past, with series 16 now set to air next year.
MailOnline has contacted representatives of the BBC and Lord Alan Sugar for comment.
Show: According to The Sun , the businessman, 74, and the rest of the team just wrapped filming the 16th series ahead of confirmation of his new deal (pictured with Karren Brady and Claude Littner)
Back in May, Lord Sugar said he would like the competition show to make it to 20 series.
He told PA: ‘I said last year that I wanted to do 20 years. We would have been doing series 16 this year and I was happy to do four more.
‘But of course, it is the BBC who will decide if they wish to do it.
‘I fully understand they are in charge but if they wanted to do it, I think 20 years is a nice round figure.’
A source said: ‘BBC bosses like what they’ve seen on the upcoming series and want two more’
It comes after the businessman received criticism after jetting from the UK to Australia during the pandemic to film the sixth series of Celebrity Apprentice.
Lord Sugar revealed he was quarantining on the 21st floor of The Sheraton in Sydney for two weeks after arriving Down Under.
‘Nice view from the 21st floor,’ he wrote in a now-deleted Tweet, alongside an accompanying video of his view.
While Channel Nine confirmed to Daily Mail Australia that Lord Sugar’s travel and accommodation were all within the guidelines for exemptions which are outside the current international arrival caps, it didn’t stop some critics from sharing their opinion on social media.
Backlash: It comes after the businessman received criticism after jetting from the UK to Australia during the pandemic to film the sixth series of Celebrity Apprentice
‘How are you allowed in when 10’s of thousands of Aussies are still waiting to be allowed home?’ one wrote.
‘Lucky you – been separated from my daughter and grandsons for almost 2 years and yet here you are bragging that you are there. It’s amazing what having money can get you!’ a second added.
‘Really!? Nice view hey? Do you know how many Australian citizens can’t see their family because of flight caps and restrictions and you’re up there rubbing it in our faces!’ a third chimed in.
However, others were quick to defend the media mogul, praising him for coming over and boosting the Australian economy by working on the popular series.
‘When you’re bringing money and possibly jobs to a country, they open doors to you, Lord Sugar is there on business I would expect and not a holiday,’ one fan wrote.
‘Nice view from the 21st floor,’ Lord Sugar wrote in a now-deleted Tweet, alongside an accompanying video of his view
‘It’s called business, when you’re helping the economy of a country, they welcome you,’ a second chimed in.
‘Why do others hate it when others are successful and doing well,’ another said.
Australian borders are currently closed to those who are not Australian citizens, permanent residents or immediately family members.
However, there are caps on the number of passengers coming into Australia from overseas to ease pressure on quarantine facilities, which has meant some citizens have been stranded overseas.
Under fire: While many were supportive of his travel, others were left less than impressed that he was able to travel to locked-down Sydney while so many are unable to do so themselves
Defence: Others were quick to defend the media mogul, praising him for coming over and boosting the Australian economy by working on the popular series
Like with other reality shows filmed Down Under, Lord Alan Sugar is on a special visa – meaning he isn’t taking a hotel quarantine spot from an Australian.
A spokesperson for Nine told Daily Mail Australia: ‘Lord Sugar is back in Australia to film Celebrity Apprentice.
‘His travel and accommodation is all within the guidelines for exemptions which are outside the caps.
‘The exemptions and quarantine are in accordance with all government protocols and requirements including any payments that are associated with this.’
Visa: Like with other reality shows filmed Down Under, Lord Alan Sugar is on a special visa – meaning he isn’t taking a hotel quarantine spot from an Australian